Control Room Design

Control room design for new construction and retrofit projects. Our complete solution includes designing for SCADA and DCS requirements, on-site consulting, and training.

Creating rooms that limit disruptions and distractions to keep operators alert is our goal. Control room consoles improve productivity (efficiency) and minimize risk (efficiency PLUS accuracy). Control room designs create a working environment that provides high quality of life for operators, which in turn keeps everyone safe while producing high performance and low turnover for their companies. The proven design process decreases project timelines by defining the true scope of the facility and eliminating costly and timely construction change orders and setbacks.

Scada DCS Control Room Systems - Control Room Design

Control Room Design

SCADA & DCS Specialty Applications

Designing a control room is far more than room layout. Command Watch designs over 100 critical elements that directly impact distractions and performance.

Live Control Room Design Support - Control Room Design

On Site Consulting

Field Experts For Every Industry

At Command Watch, we spend a significant amount of time on site with our clients. It is important for us to have a full understanding of what works well and what actually needs to be improved.

Design Control Room Architect Designer - Control Room Design

Training and Resources

Study Based Results

We realize that not everyone is ready for or in need of a complete Control Room Design overhaul. With that in mind we have created a proprietary training tool called the CR Toolbox.

Control Room Services

Control Room Design Observation Analysis - Control Room Design

Observation & Analysis

Past, Present and Future Intentions for the Control Room

Further quantify observations through operator interviews as well as studies regarding that past, present, and future intentions for the control room in question. This information is combined with our own custom-developed listing of 100 critical elements that must function properly in control room environments. Completion of this analysis creates a very comprehensive picture of the needs of a specific control room.

Control Room Design Best Practices - Control Room Design

Control Room Design

Industry Standards and Best Practices

Findings are submitted in a report containing an organized breakdown of all observations, as well as a comparison to Industry Standards and Best Practices. Design recommendations are included in the report, as well as data and projections to support the assumptions of the design. Final designs take into account current needs as well as possible growth or changes in the foreseeable future.

How does your control room measure up?

What are the industry standards and best practices within a control room for traffic patterns, control room entry, noise, lighting, sight-lines, ergonomics, fatigue mitigation, operator interaction, temperature, humidity etc.?

Fatigue Mitigation

Most problems in a control room are either caused by or at least impacted by fatigue. Identifying the root causes is the first step in mitigating fatigue in your control room. Command Watch has a proven track record of helping control rooms reduce fatigue problems.

Range of Services

The design process can be leveraged at many stages of renovation, and our individual services can also be utilized as needed for specific applications. We can offer many services including:

  • – Conceptual Design
  • – Detailed Design
  • – Audit/Gap Analysis
  • – Fatigue Mitigation
  • – Site Evaluation Study
  • – Project Coordination
  • – Client Representation

How do these standards and practices help minimize potential accidents and disasters?

> Best Practices definition: professional procedures that are accepted
or prescribed as being correct or most effective.

> Industry Standards definition: is the generally accepted requirements
followed by the members of an industry.

Contact Us

Interested in obtaining a control room audit or initial consultation? We can help with:

– SCADA /DCS Expert Consultation
– Every Initial Consultation is Free
– Training & Resources Software
– Observation & Analysis Information
– Control Room Design

Contact us and we will respond quickly.

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    Control Room Objectives

    Control Room Design Efficiency Icon - Control Room Design

    Improved Results

    Properly designed and functioning control rooms provide increased efficiency and operator accuracy, resulting in lower operating costs and a safe working environment both inside and outside of the control room. These results show themselves both in terms of cost savings and in improved morale and reduced turnover and training.

    Control Room Safety Icon - Control Room Design

    Increased Safety

    Safety is everyone’s number one objective in the control room, but safety concerns aren’t always clear. Spotting early issues before they become dangerous situations protects personnel, equipment, and productivity. By communicating clearly and staying focused, any control room can ensure the safety of operators, visitors, contractors and the general public.

    Smart Control Room Icon - Control Room Design

    Smarter Building

    A well-designed control room is not by definition expensive to build. In fact, a room designed for a specific use rather than to a general standard will avoid unnecessary expense. Additionally, a flexible design which allows for future changes and expansion will typically result in reduced build costs over the long term.

    Scada DCS Investment Icon - Control Room Design

    Protecting Investment

    Large SCADA and DCS investments can be placed in jeopardy if the human element is not performing adequately. While most installations function without incident over 99% of the time, unplanned events do arise, and this is when people, equipment, and facilities are in the most jeopardy. By preventing damage, injury, and downtime, investments in a proper control room see a return in just a few moments.

    HR Control Room Icon - Control Room Design

    Better HR Outcomes

    The best environments will help to attract and retain top performing operators, reducing costs associated with administration, hiring, and training. Employee longevity also enhances company culture and morale, creating an environment where top talent in all areas of operation will desire to work.

    Control Room Experience

    Control room design requires a very special understanding of the unique environment of the control room and the elements that can impact operators/controllers.

    Designer Architect Meeting - Control Room Design

    Designing for the Work Environment

    Understanding the Unique Challenges That Impact Operators

    Control Room Users Logos - Control Room Design

    Our Clients

    The Worlds Largest Companies Trust Command Watch

    Requirements for control room design requires a very special understanding of the unique environment of the control room and the elements that can impact operators/controllers. Knowledge of how space, lighting, acoustics, technology, fatigue mitigation, operator interactions, efficient workflow, architecture etc… all work within a specific set of tasks is critical. Our experience with over 400 control rooms positions Inracks as a leader in this highly specialized design process.

    Crisis Preparation

    Most control rooms function fairly well under normal circumstances, and the need for specialized design is not always apparent. But in crisis mode, operators must be highly aware in their observations, accurate in their responses and control rooms must operate at the most efficient level possible. These times are when indecision, poor decisions, miscommunication or missed information can have catastrophic results. To achieve this accuracy and efficiency, we begin with the ISO 11064 control room design standard as a starting point. Through observation, application of best practices and industry standards, and our own design methodology, we develop a unique solution for every control room. We take into account the current operation of your control room, including past and future needs, as well as technological changes on the horizon.

    Observation Method

    Often revealing poor structures, observation methods and habits that do not seem harmful on an everyday basis, but can lead to serious consequences if a problem arises. In order to best understand your needs, our team will spend days and nights observing your current operation, individually interviewing all operators, supervisors and anyone else that directly impacts the control room. We conduct time and motion studies to measure fatigue-causing events, and capture current room conditions, including lighting, noise, traffic, and interruptions.

    Data Collection

    Inracks’ methodology combines our comprehensive data collection process and vast experience with input from your team to ensure that all needs are represented. Everyone that works within or supports the control room is given an opportunity for input and buy-in to the decisions being made. The result is the best design possible for your control room, and a working environment over which people feel a sense of pride, ownership and commitment.

    AGL Resources
    Air Liquide
    Alabama Power
    Alagasco
    Appalachian EMC
    BASF
    Bowen Plant (Georgia Power)
    C-Spire
    Cameron LNG
    Carroll EMC
    CellSouth
    Chevron – Belle Chasse
    Chevron City of Hamilton
    Cobb EMC
    Colonial Pipeline
    Columbia Gas
    Consumers Energy
    Cowlitz PUD
    Cristal
    Cumberland Electric
    Dakota Electric
    Duke Energy
    Duke Power
    Emerson Control Systems
    Enbridge Energy Transfer
    Entergy
    Entergy Generation Plant
    (Montz, Louisiana)
    Enterprise Products
    EQT
    Evonik
    ExxonMobile-Angola
    Freeport LNG
    GE Energy
    Gorgas Plant (Alabama Power)
    Hexcel
    Honeywell Control Systems
    Husky
    Integrys
    Invista Jackson EMC

    Jasper Wireless
    Lee County Electric
    MassPort Metro Water
    Microsoft
    Mirant Canal Generation Plant
    Momentive Specialty Chemicals
    Nicor
    Nisource
    Norbord
    OneOK
    Petrobras
    Port of Vancouver
    SCANA Energy
    Scherer Plant (Georgia Power)
    Solvay
    Southwest Airlines
    TECO
    Texas Health Resources
    TransCanada-Calgary
    TransCanada-Houston
    TRONOX
    Truckee Meadows Water Treatment
    United Water
    URC
    US Marshall Service
    Vectren Electric
    Vectren Pipeline
    Westar Energy Generation Plant
    White Sands Missile Range
    Williams Companies
    Xcel